We’re about a month away from Envision 2017! Tickets are still available, but I anticipate them selling out for the 3rd year in a row. If you are considering going, make your decision soon.

Anne and I will be heading down to Costa Rica on January 30th and plan to live near the festival grounds (in Uvita) until June.

This article focuses on the music alone. Anne is working on a “yoga preview” for Envision 2017, you’ll see it posted on January 30th.

Can you trust my music tastes? (my music background)

Although I can appreciate nearly all genres of music, in the last 7 years I’ve been deep in the electronic music realms. I prefer downtempo bass music with high production quality. Music that was made to be played with hi-fi sound systems.

A few of my favorite artists (that don’t include anyone on this list):

Dave Tipper – far and away my #1

Bassnectar – especially between 2009-2012

Spoonbill – favorite live set at Envision 2016

Thriftworks

Emancipator

Kalya Scintilla

DJ Shadow

AtYyA

No politics, inclusiveness, or 7th place ribbons here.

These are truly my top 10 most anticipated shows at Envision 2017. I anticipate everyone on this list playing on the Luna Stage (except Nicola Cruz).

Alright here we go… the top most anticipated shows at Envision 2017! (no particular order)

1) CharlestheFirst

My most anticipated show for Envision this year! Although Charles cannot legally buy alcohol in the US, don’t assume his sound is juvenile. This young stud is making waves in the psychedelic bass music scene.

This 30 minute mix is full of fresh unreleased goodies.

2) Random Rab

A true master of his craft. Rab has been at every Envision festival since the beginning. He’s become famous at Envision for his Sunday morning sunrise set. (Sofiah Thom is usually performing on stage with them!). They are truly beautiful. Last year during his set an impromptu group hug swept over the crowd. Hundreds of sweaty bodies embracing as the sun peeked over the trees.

Rab are you reading this? If so, Anne and I would like you to play our wedding. (date unknown) Please and thank you.

Start with his Mourning mix. Most similar to what you can expect during his sunrise set.

3) Clozee

Originally hailing from Toulouse, France – Chloe “Clozee” Herry is a genre-defying certified badass chick. Her passion for music runs deep. You can catch her playing guitar on YouTube and the next night playing incredible live sets at Shambhala, Envision, Sonic Bloom, LIB and more. She’ll be performing solo as Clozee as well as with Scarfinger as Clozinger.

She rocked Envision in 2016 and I cannot wait to see what she has in store for this year! She’s releasing a new album on Gravitas on February 7th. Hopefully we’ll hear some of these tracks on the F1 stacks at the Luna stage!

4) Goopsteppa

Been feverishly following Alex da Goopsteppa for several years and still haven’t caught a live set. Expect luscious downtempo soundscapes and his signature swagger. He’s been releasing tons of new music – 2 solo EPs and a joint EP with AtYyA in the last year alone! Do not miss your chance to hear Goopsteppa on F1s. A dream come true.

5) DubCOliNG

Another relatively unknown psy-bass powerhouse. Hoping for a Saturday or Sunday set on the Luna stage. DubCOliNG first caught my attention with this Street Ritual extended mix – great song selection, great mixing, and plenty of his signature sound. Bonus points: If anyone is going to play some Tipper tracks at Envision, it’s DubCOliNG.

Good representation of his style:

6) Nico Luminous

Nico Luminous hails is about to deliver some west coast future bass / hiphop / trap to the crazies in the Costa Rican jungle. This one might get weird and I could not be more excited.

The first Nico song I fell in love with, Night Owl.

7) Bumble

A dynamic Australian producer specializing in deep psy-dub, glitch, and wobbling funk. A staple of the transformative festival scene – Bumble will fit right in on the Luna stage.

Just speculating here, last year we had Grouch, this year Bumble. All about that.

I hope they play the Luna stage. Would be a shame not to hear them on the Funktion One stacks.

9) Govinda

Bass music with an Eastern/tribal/world music influence. Perfectly suited for late night Luna Stage. Govinda is an Envision legend and yet somehow I always miss his set! Not making that mistake again…

Govinda released a new album recently, but I prefer his older stuff:

10) Nicola Cruz

Born in France, but proudly representing his South American descent. Nicola Cruz typically plays house music with an Indigenous vibe. A fantastic pickup for the jungle vibes at Envision.

Full Disclosure: This is the only house music artist I added to the list. I like house music and plan to get down at the House music stage (Lapa) but it’s not my wheelhouse. That being said if you have house music recommendations for Envision I’m all ears!